NEW YORK (By Tiffany Shipp/ Ken
Sunshine Consultants) - Singer/songwriter Ben Jelen has changed directions and is heading EAST with tour dates and a new project with
Linda Perry.
Ben's partnership with Perry, one of the industry's most respected artist-mentors and producers, has resulted in a collection of rock-infused, lyric-driven songs which he'll road-test with his band, the Zodiac 7. The work in progress is tentatively titled EAST and will be released on Perry's Custard label (date tbd).
Jelen's major-label debut catapulted the singer/songwriter into the spotlight when 'Give It All Away' entered Billboard's Heatseekers Chart at No 1 in April 2004. The 26 year old British-born, multi-instrumental musician (piano, violin, and guitar) connected with fans early and fast online as an AOL Music Breakers artist and a mainstay on Big Champagne's 'Bubbling Under' chart.
6/3 Hotel Cafe Hollywood, CA
6/6 Knitting Factory Los Angeles, CA
6/8 Beauty Bar San Diego, CA
6/9 Plush Tucson, AZ
6/10 Modified Phoenix, AZ
6/12 BOCA San Francisco, CA
6/13 Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA
6/17 Knitting Factory New York, NY
6/18 Joe's Pub New York, NY
6/19 Maxwells Hoboken, NJ
6/21 World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA
6/22 Recher Theatre Towson, MD
6/24 Webster Underground Hartford, CT
6/25 Paradise Lounge Boston, MA
For fans who'll miss the chance to see Jelen live, MusicPlusTV.com will stream an interview with Ben on Sunday, June 4th at 5pm Pacific (8pm Eastern) and a live performance by Ben Jelen & the Zodiac 7 on Monday, June 5th at 5pm Pacific (8pm Eastern).
Ben Jelen and the Zodiac 7 is: Ben Jelen on vocals, keyboard, guitar, violin. Guitar player Kiyanu Kim toured with Gwen Stefani in support of her solo album, Love.Angel.Music.Baby. Bass player James Cruz was a founding member of Splender, an alternative rock outfit whose Todd Rundgren-produced Columbia Records debut, and their J Records follow-up, impacted the post-grunge modern rock scene. Ian O'Neill is a NY-based drummer who began touring with Ben Jelen in 2004, appearing with him in concert and on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
